Letters From My Brother Inside (#1)

Mi Hermano,

If only you knew how happy it made me to hear from you. True, some small or, from your perspective, large quantity of time has elapsed since we last corresponded. However, time – even if it was not by nature a thing of relativity – is, in this instance, a thing of irrelevancy. The thing that matters most is that we are once again in correspondence with one another, and this, hermano, means a lot to me. Especially in light of the fact that I had begun to wonder if – in the minds of those I named friends – I had receded so far as to become a permanent resident at the final destination of all things real: “The Land of Nostalgic Recall.” That nebulous territory where all things are only thought of in those very descriptive, though non-visually manifesting, quanta of time commonly known as “every blue moon.” But, as always, you have proven yourself to be head and shoulders above the rest and reaffirmed why I call you and no other “Mi Hermano.”

“The man who treasures his friends is usually solid gold himself.” – The Gilded Rune, by Lisa Smedman

J.V., though daily the mettle of my character is tested, I will not feign an understanding of the trials and tribulations you face as a responsible citizen. However, I have come to know you well enough to appreciate your intellect and to recognize the existence of a deep strength underlying your character, and I know this strength and intelligence will carry you through the toughest of life’s trials and allow you to thrive in spite of unpleasant circumstances. Hermano, though being separated from your son isn’t a minor thing, it is nonetheless an experience, and it is through the crucible of experience that we are forged anew – making of us something more, something better.

“Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him.” – Aldous Huxley

Hermano, though there are still a number of things I would like to share with you about the convoluted paths my life has taken, I think that I should close. Besides, I don’t want to disclose everything in one letter. However, I will leave you with this thought: I think that it would be a good investment of your time to learn Brazilian – “Gracie” – Jujitsu or Krav Maga. Take some time and do a search on the internet, then tell me what you think.

“The Prince must never turn his attention away from military exercises. Indeed, he should devote himself to them in time of peace even more than in time of war; And he may do this in two ways: through action and through study” – Niccolo Machiavelli